Montana

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March 22, 2005:

Alert: Pass H.B. 297 for Paper Ballots in Montana

APRIL 02, 2004 - The following news was received from the State Secretary of State:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: AMY SULLIVAN

APRIL 1, 2004 (406) 444-1259

SECRETARY OF STATE BOB BROWN ANNOUNCES DECISION ON ELECTRONIC VOTING IN MONTANA

Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown announced today his office will not certify any electronic voting machines this year due to concerns about the security of the machines and controversy over how those security concerns should be handled.

Voter confidence is extremely important and we will not erode that confidence," Brown said. "We are disappointed about having to put off the purchase of these machines, however, protecting voter security and integrity is the most important thing we do. We are confident that Congress, the companies that make these machines, public interest groups and election officials will work quickly to make sure these machines are not only available but secure," Brown said.

The secretary of state¹s office has actively investigated the issue of electronic voting machines and the security concerns surrounding them. This decision puts Montana voters in the best possible situation by allowing technology to evolve to deal with the issue while assuring people with disabilities access to secure electronic voting systems by the federal government deadline of January 1, 2006.

Every day there seems to be new concerns being raised about electronic voting, and although many of those concerns have not been tested and verified, we want Montanans to have trust and confidence in any machines they use," Brown said. Electronic voting systems have been highlighted on a national level due to concerns the machines may pose a security risk to voters who use them. Security issues range from questions about the ability of hackers to corrupt software and manipulate votes, to the possibility of voter ballot data files being lost.

Congress has taken note of the controversy with the recent introduction of two bills designed to require voter verified paper and/or audit trail capacities on the electronic voting machines to deal with the potential security risks.

The whole issue of electronic voting machines came to the forefront of American voter consciousness with the passage of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which requires a form of electronic voting equipment, known as a Direct Recording Equipment System (DREs), to be accessible in every polling place in the United States by 2006. The machines are specifically designed for the visually impaired - ballots are read to voters through headphones - but are also considered handicapped accessible for voters with other types of disabilities.

HAVA requirements to place one DRE in every polling place by January 2006 means that Montana will need almost 700 DREs statewide. Prior to security concerns raised about computerized voting, Montana officials had been hopeful in providing access to electronic voting machines by the 2004 general election.

Even though there will be no electronic voting machines in Montana this year we are working to assure more accessibility for people with disabilities by making as many accommodations as possible to make sure they vote,” Brown said.

Legislation/Policy

Frequently Asked Questions by Legislators

Information for S.1980 Volunteers

The 'Voter Confidence Acts' - H.R. 2239 & S. 1980

Comparison of Senate Bills 1980, 1986, and 2045

Verified Voting Legislation: House Bill Comparison

Verified Voting Legislation: Senate Bill Comparison

Verified Voting Legislation: Prior Sessions

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